Select Board approves putting expendable energy trust and EV‑charger warrant articles on town warrant
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Summary
Tamworth’s Select Board voted to place two warrant articles on the town warrant: (1) an expendable trust fund for energy improvements to accept donated/grant funds, and (2) authorization to install two EV chargers funded by non‑tax sources; grant applications (including a T‑Mobile Hometown grant) are pending.
The Tamworth Select Board voted on Jan. 13 to authorize two warrant articles related to local energy projects — an expendable trust fund to accept private donations and grants for energy improvements, and a separate article authorizing the installation of two EV chargers in the town office parking lot if non‑tax funding is secured.
Gabrielle Watts, speaking for the Energy Committee, explained the committee had applied for a T‑Mobile Hometown grant and planned to pursue a Northern Borders Regional Commission mobility grant; the committee seeks no taxpayer appropriation for the chargers. “We’re committed to not requiring any taxpayer money for the EV chargers,” Watts said, adding that the expendable trust would let the town accept private donations and enable the Select Board, as expending agents, to authorize expenditures without a special town meeting once funds arrive.
A warrant article would specifically authorize construction of two chargers (the prior-year estimate and current installation prices were discussed; a cited installation figure in review materials was $26,440 for two chargers). If grant funds are not received, the charger warrant article would be null and void, the board said. The Select Board voted in favor of placing both warrant articles on the warrant; roll-call votes were recorded as affirmative.
The Energy Committee also reported that Community Power rates for Tamworth customers are rising slightly (reported from about $13 to approximately $14.05), and Watts said she joined a policy/regulatory committee to protect consumer interests with the legislature and the public utilities commission. Committee members noted they are also discussing establishing a town expendable trust to accept donations for energy projects and to streamline later spending decisions.
Next steps: the Select Board asked the committee and staff to finalize warrant language and fee/agent language for the expendable trust and to post the language in advance of the budget hearing when the board will vote on warrant placement for the annual deliberative session.